All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
rickh: If I were you, I'd wait until 18th April when Crystal Palace and Reigate have switched to digital. Then you can see how Crystal Palace fairs and whether it's worth changing the aerial for Reigate.
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Steve: Looking around your road using Google Streetview there are quite a few talls trees which could be an issue. I can't see a single aerial on Sandy Heath, but a few have an aerial on Sudbury and one on Crystal Palace.
This perhaps suggests that the trees put paid to reception from Sandy Heath. Maybe your neighbours could advise as to how good their Sudbury reception is.
If you do go for Sandy Heath, then its Public Service (PSB) channels are Group A (first third of the band) and Commercial (COM) channels are Group B (middle third of the band). Thus, if your current aerial is a Group A one (which all of Crystal Palace's channels are before and after switchover), then it will work for Sandy Heath's PSBs.
If you go for Sudbury, then its PSBs are Group B and its COMs are Group C/D (top third of the band).
Wideband aerials trade sensitivity within each Group with increase sensitivity across the whole band, particularly being less so on Group A channels. See here:
Gain (curves), Again
In summary:
- Crystal Palace would appear to be your best bet from a signal strength point of view on all channels. However, it gives you London programming.
- Sandy Heath may be blocked by trees; you can perhaps see much better whether this is the case than Streetview shows.
- From what I can see, no one has an aerial on Sandy Heath. You could perhaps take a walk around your area and see if this is the case, perhaps identifying why it may be the case (e.g. trees).
- Whilst the Digital UK Predictor suggests that reception of Sudbury's PSBs will be "poor" and its COMs "variable", there are a number of aerials on it. The predictor's calculation of poor PSBs could be as a result of another transmitter using the same channels. Aerials have greater rejection of unwanted signals in some directions than in others, so this may be less of an issue, depending on that factor.
- For full service from Sandy Heath or Sudbury, Group aerials that cover a third of the band will not be sufficient. Either a single wideband aerial (perhaps a less favourable option for Sandy Heath with its PSBs being Group A) or two Group aerials diplexed (combined) together into one downlead. Or for Sudbury, a single Group E aerial (top two thirds of band).
- If you do go for Sudbury, then its COMs are on low power until 27th June, so will probably be unavailable at your location until then.
- Sandy Heath's SDN multiplex (ITV3 etc) is on low power until 9th May, so may be unavailable until then.
For lots of information about aerials, see ATV Sheffield's site www.aerialsandtv.com
See the page on aerial Groups Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
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Malcolm Ward: No, you cannot convert signals from a satellite into ones that a "Freeview" receiver can work with.
You will need to either:
1. Purchase satellite receivers (e.g. "Freesat") for all rooms served by the dish, or;
2. Install a terrestrial aerial.
It is likely that for each wall outlet, there is a cable (or perhaps two cables) from the dish to the outlet. You could therefore use the existing cabling for terrestrial services. To do this you would need to remove the cables from the satellite dish. Then install a terrestrial aerial which goes to a splitter (either powered or non-powered). Each output of the splitter would then connect to each cable you've removed from the dish. At each aerial point replace the threaded F-connectors with coax ones. This would save you having to re-cable.
The only thing to be wary of is that not all areas can receive all Freeview channels. If you are in an area served only by limited channels, then you may decide to go down the satellite route.
If you give your location, preferably in the form of post code (or perhaps nearby post code) then an assessment can be made as to the likelihood of reception of all Freeview channels.
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L Sperring: You're picking up the Welsh transmitter Wenvoe.
Run the tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up until 60% (then plug in).
This will hopefully miss out Wenvoe.
Having done this, you will probably be missing ITV3. Go through to manual tuning if your receiver allows and tune to UHF channel 48. If you're missing Yesterday, then do the same for UHF channel 52 and for ITV1 it is channel 54.
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Malcolm Ward: I should point out that if you are in an area served by Mendip, then you will be likely to be able to receive all Freeview channels.
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A: "ArqB" is an abbreviation for "Arqiva B" which is the name of COM6 multiplex. Arqiva is the name of the company that owns and runs all of the transmitters. It has two multiplexes, hence the A and B suffixes.
For a full list of services by multiplex, see DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
The transmission power does not vary by time. The days of God Save the Queen being played and then the transmitter being taken off of the air are gone.
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Steve: I hope that I've gone in at too high a level. If I have, let me know.
If you are considering getting in a professional rigger, then can help to have an appreciation of the potential issues.
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NewForest: It is done in two stages so as to allow those who do not have equipment that will work after switchover time to purchase without leaving them without any television.
In some cases, people may have digital receivers that will not work using the new post-switchover transmission mode. There will also be some others who do not have any digital receiver whatsoever.
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Qwerty: The answer is because you are on a hill and can therefore receive from Crystal Palace.
The High Wycombe transmitter does not currently broadcast digital services and after switchover it will be a Public Service only transmitter. That means it will carry only BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD channels and a few others.
So those in the valley who consequently can't receive directly from Crystal Palace will not get ITV3, Film 4, Dave, Pick TV etc.
The only possibility you may have when switchover happens is that your receiver may tune to the High Wycombe transmitter for the services that it carries. The way around this is to only have the aerial plugged in for only the first 30% of the automatic tuning scan. I am assuming here that your aerial is directed to Crystal Palace (it will be horizontal) and not High Wycombe (it will be vertical).
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John: In circumstances such as lost channels due either to interference or reduced signal level, the outcome of retuning can only ever mean that those channels are lost from the receiver's memory, thus necessitating repeated retunes. If the outcome is that the channels have returned, then they would have returned anyway.
In an effort to restore remaining channels, you need to manually tune to the respective channel numbers as rescanning just wipes what you have and leaves you at risk of effectively loosing more:
ITV3 = C25 (SDN)
Pick TV = C22 (ArqA)
Yesterday = C28 (ArqB)
These transmission power of these services from Stockland will increase on 18th April to their full final power of 25kW. They are all at 10kW at the moment.
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Jack Hughes: Yes, on 18th April (which is the final switchover date for Crystal Palace) the power the Commercial multiplexes from Stockland will rise from 10kW to 25kW.
Because the same channels and modes are being used, it will not be necessary for you to retune.
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Mike Miles: Yes, the restriction will be lifted on 18th April when they will go up to their full final power of 50kW each.
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Mike: I must point out that the multiplex that carries Film 4, ITV4 and others is on low power until 27th June from Sudbury. Therefore, it is likely that the problem will rectify itself then (if not before) and therefore that any remedial work (and expense) will be to provide reception of those channels between now and 27th June.
What has probably happened is that the level of the signal has dropped slightly, putting it below the threshold that your receiver needs to resolve a picture. You will need to keep manually tuning to channel 63 until it comes back.
Had you not carried out a rescan, you could have simply switched over to one of the affected programme channels to see whether they are back. In circumstances such as yours, the outcome of rescanning usually only serves to loose the programme channels from the receiver's memory.
Where a signal is below the level at which the receiver will work, retuning won't make any positive difference. If the signal level increased a little to produce a picture, it would do it irrespective of the retuning and if it didn't, then you loose it from the listings.
For Sudbury, there is no need to retune until 27th June, it will not achieve anything.
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Rob R: In addition to the above question, go to BBC One and then bring up the signal strength/quality screen and let me know what UHF channel it is tuned to. It may be 24, 41 or 60.
Do the same for ITV1. It may be 27, 47 or 53.
If it doesn't give a channel number, it may give a frequency in MHz instead.
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Helen: Because those services are on low power until 27th June. On that date it will be necessary to carry out a retune to continue watching them. Don't carry out any retunes until then as there is no need to and you may just end up loosing them from your TV altogether.
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David Parker: 4seven is carried on COM6/ArqB, so it is only available from the full Freeview transmitters.
See DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
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David Parker: It probably depends on the design of your machine. My Sony RDR-HXD870 had stored 4seven as LCN804 as there was another in 47, so I just swapped them and skipped the 804 one. I also skip the shopping channels, adult channels, data channels (UK Racing etc).
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David Parker: If your receiver doesn't automatically add them, then manually tune to channel 48 and it will hopefully add this new service.
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Rob R: Yes, that is correct, Whitehawk is by the racecourse.
41 and 47 are from the "Brighton Central" transmitter which is a filler-in that doesn't carry all the services now and did not carry any Freeview before. Brighton Central is on the top of Theobald House, so your aerial will be pointing roughly in the direction of the railway station.
If you are to ever get all the channels, you need an aerial on Whitehawk.
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Ben Ward: Check that the receivers are tuned to the channels used by Mendip and not Bath.
You should only need to check BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday. The UHF channel numbers are at the top of this page.
Mike Dimmick: For some reason the DUK Tradeview predictor suggests four digital transmitters at Ben's location, but only gives a reception prediction for Mendip.
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Linda Parsons: What's the make and model of the box?
This reminds me of a Panasonic box that I have. Having tuned, there was, it seemed at first, no way to get rid of the on screen display window. Eventually I figured out that the only way forward was to select the option to program in a code (IIRC a house code), but it didn't make that clear! Most people would have probably given up and thrown it away.
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Andrew Benham: This is because at switchover those BBC services move from one multiplex to another. Thus, they are presently duplicated until 18th April. This happens from all transmitters as part of the switchover process.
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Linda, Thea, Matt: Just out of interest (maybe a long shot at a fix), when you run the tuning scan, unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%. Once completed plug the aerial back in. Then let us know whether this works or not.
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Linda, Thea, Matt (and others with the same issue): In addition to knowing whether my suggestion of unplugging the aerial at 30% solves the problem, it would be useful to know the make and model number of the problematic box or TV.
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Hugh: "HD Ready" means that it is "ready" to display HD pictures, but does not have the means to receive HD signals. It will therefore need a separate HD receiver box.
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Big Mart: I suspect that the 14 comes from the BBC duplicates that exist inbetween the two stages of switchover.
Prior to switchover BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC Parliament and BBC radio are on Mux B but move to the main BBC standard definition mux at switchover. This is the one you have now, along with the pre-switchover Mux B.
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Daphne: Please can you give your location (preferably post code) as what can be picked up varies.
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aron: High Wycombe is now on full strength for BBC. Indeed, BBC standard definition digital services are the only digital ones it carries now.
On 18th Wycombe will carry the other Public Service multiplexes which include ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD services and a few others. It will not be a full Freeview transmitter.
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Cliff O'Garro: What's the make and model of your receiver? If you are only picking up these, then I wonder if it won't work after switchover.
Could you receive other channels before?
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Matt: Only BBC standard definition channels go on full power today. The rest, including HD, will follow in two weeks' time.
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Stephen: ONdigital boxes will not work after switchover because they do not comply fully with the DVB-T standard as they do not work in 8k mode which is what is used after switchover.
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Alex: Before switchover digital services are on lower power than after switchover. BBC standard definition services are now on full power and in two weeks time the rest will follow.
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Corin: This is correct. Wales transmission are 2kW horizontal. Granada's are 560W vertical.
As the photographs of the mast shows, each Wales transmissions are directed towards Wales and similarly Granada's are in the opposite direction:
mb21 - The Transmission Gallery
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aron: I would count yourself lucky that you can receive directly from Crystal Palace, even if it is at roof level only. Those in the valley that can only receive from High Wycombe transmitter aren't so lucky as they only get limited channels.
If you are in an area where you get a good signal from High Wycombe transmitter, such that a set-top aerial will work, but not where it will pick up Crystal Palace, then you could consider having limited channels on your second set.
For High Wycombe your set-top aerial should be set vertically.
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Roger: Being in such close proximity to the transmitter it is probably the level of signal which is overwhelming your receiver. At the moment only one multiplex has gone on high power (although at a few miles even the "low" ones are pretty high). In two weeks time when the rest follow, the problem could get worse.
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Get yourself an attenuator for a few pounds off eBay, although with the bank holidays you may be waiting a week for it.
In the mean time, to reduce the level of signals going into your TV, as a temporary fix you could try:
- a set-top aerial.
- if the aerial connector is one that screws together, unscrew the outer part so there is just the inner pin protruding. Then insert that pin into the socket on your TV.
- try just an aerial lead (not connected to the aerial). You may have to move it about to best effect and fasten it on the wall.
- a wire coathanger in the inner part of the aerial socket may do the trick.
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Gillie: The Commercial channels (which include ITV3) increased in strength from Mendip on 28th March. Have you tried a full retune since then?
If that still doesn't work, then if you can manually tune, do so to channel 48. Indeed, you could even try doing it before you retune.
Alternatively, take the downstairs TV upstairs (if you can) and tune in and bring it back down.
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sparky: Where abouts are you? If you are close to the transmitter, it could be overloading your receiver. See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Dale: Transmitter engineering work in preparation for switchover is taking place at Pontop Pike. The answer in such situations as you found yourself is not to retune as that simply wipes the receiver's memory leaving it without the channels. You will now have to repeatedly tune until you get them back. If you have manual tuning, then you should use it (HD services on channel 63).
For Pontop Pike it is not necessary to retune until 12th September and you would be best advised to refrain from doing so.
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Karen: The simple solution is probably to run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial at 30%.
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Edward: ONdigital boxes won't work after switchover:
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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CJH: What's the model number of the Sony TV?
Some models won't work after switchover. See these links for some lists (which aren't exhaustive):
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
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Pam: Yes, that won't be a problem.
The only thing you should be aware of is that if you replace any TV it must have an analogue (as well as digital/Freeview) tuner, the analogue being needed for viewing the Sky box. However, manufacturers will probably stop making them. You will have to be wary of this if/when you do buy a new TV.
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Pam: Only BBC standard definition services (on C23) are at full strength. The rest will increase in strength on 18th April.
Refer to the Crystal Palace page (click the link) for the UHF channel numbers to tune to. 22 is indeed ITV1, C4, C5 etc.
Different receivers have differing levels of sensitivity (i.e. some might "hear" a signal that others won't in borderline cases). Also, any aerial lead will have a degree of loss, so the signal level will be lower where it comes out to when it went in; there's nothing you can do about this. These points may explain why one TV works whilst another doesn't.
It's likely that everything will work fine come 18th April. However, you probably wish to get it working in the mean time.
You could take the kitchen TV to the lounge where the aerial cable comes in from the roof and connect it directly to that. Then manually tune in (i.e. add) any missing channels. The objective of this is simply to get the channels stored in the TV's memory.
If you find that ITV1 doesn't work on the kitchen TV when you get it back in the kitchen, then don't retune as it won't get the signal back and will just result in the loss of the service from your TV.
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Mr. B Thomson: There are some older models that will no longer work after switchover. BBC channels have switched and the others haven't.
Some sources of affected equipment are:
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
These lists are not exhaustive.
If your TV isn't on these lists, then post its make and model and those on this site may be able to advise you as to whether it will or won't work after switchover.
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Andy Seaward: Not likely! See here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Unfortunately due to the fact that Ventnor is at the bottom of a steep slope, there is no likelihood of being able to receive directly from another transmitter such as Rowridge that carries the Commercial services.
Also, there is no possibility of receiving them across the water from the mainland either.
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Karen: Inversion will always happen and has always happened. The question I think you're asking is whether it will happen to such a degree as to make your TVs unwatchable.
That's a difficult, if not impossible, question to answer.
What I will say is that you appear to be in an excellent area with regards level of signal from Crystal Palace once it has switched over to full power on 18th April.
A lot of the issue comes down to the level/strength of the signals you wish to receive (i.e. those of CP) versus the level/strength of those which are interfering. The level of CP's will go up on 18th April.
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Jemma: I don't know whether you know, but there have been power failures in the area over the last few days due to the weather.
This report, posted at 0721 this morning, says that power has been restored to all affected areas in Derbyshire:
BBC News - Power restored across Derbyshire following snow storm
Give the main BBC Derby switchboard a ring (01332 361111) and see if anyone knows when it might be back on. Then post on here to let others know.
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sparky: The BBC standard definition channels from CP are now at full switchover power whereas the rest are not.
Check that BBC One is coming in on UHF channel 23 as at the first stage of switchover relays begin broadcasting BBC digital for the first time and being high up your receiver could have tuned to one of them for BBC.
Also ensure that the RF out (if there is one) does not clash although I doubt it as C23 was used previously for ITV analogue anyway.
Depending on what you find, worst case scenario may be that you will have to use the set-top aerial for one and the roof-top one for the other until 18th April when you will see if it rights itself.
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sparky: Also, does your recorder have two tuners in and if so does the problem occur when recording from one mux and watching (via the recorder) from it? Or is it just when watching another mux via your TV's own in-built tuner?
Without the blind in the way, how does your set-top aerial fair with respect to recording BBC One and watching ITV1 or vice versa?
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m kinsella: The simplest method to get it back on to Crystal Palace is probably to run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial plugged in and then unplug when it gets to 30%. Once completed plug the aerial back in and it will hopefully have tuned to Crystal Palace.
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The transmitter network is operated by Arqiva. On its contact page there is a link to click if you have problems with reception:
Contact Us - Corporate Arqiva
However, this simply provides links and phone numbers for the broadcasters!
As Arqiva is the company responsible for getting the transmitter back on the air, one would assume that it will be best placed to tell you.
Arqiva has a monitoring station at the Emley Moor transmitter, tel 01924 508100. Whilst Buxton is not part of the Emley Moor group, perhaps they can advise.
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m kinsella: Crystal Palace uses low channels and Dover higher ones up. Unfortunately Blue Bell Hill uses one the is within those used by CP, so the unplugging aerial trick isn't so easy. Now you've supplied your post code it can be seen what's possibly causing issues. When the second switchover happens on 18th April, this may not be a problem.
At the present moment in time there are the following channels (in ascending order):
22 CP ITV1
23 CP BBC One (full power)
24 BB ITV1
27 BB ITV3
28 CP BBC Four
29 CP Yesterday
32 CP ITV3
34 CP Pick TV
CP= Crystal Palace BB=Blue Bell Hill
If your TV allows manual tuning, then use it. You may have to wipe everything stored in it first. If it will allow manual tuning but only once it has completed a scan and found something, then aim to pick up at least one of the CP multiplexes and then add the rest.
In any case, if you do scan, have the aerial unplugged after 30% as there are no CP channels higher than that.
By the way, the scan runs from channel 21 to 69, so you can calculate a percentage from that if your receiver does not give UHF channel numbers as it's scanning.
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john tatman: If you have not received Freeview before 4th April, then the rest will become available to you on 18th April.
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Martyn Smith: From the description of the fact that you have turned your aerial away from where it used to face I suspect that your aerial is way OTT which is overloading your tuner.
Before switchover the power of Crystal Palace was/is 20kW. Where line of sight to the transmitter is good, a small set-top aerial is likely to be sufficient.
I used a non-powered set-top aerial at 25 miles from Emley Moor before switchover when transmission power was only 10kW. This worked quite well. I have one of these Labgear aerials:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
The fact that signal quality is so low may have come about due to the signal level being way too high for what the TV can cope with. It's a bit like turning up your hifi to full blast and then amplifying it a bit more. The outcome is total distortion which could explain the poor signal quality in your case.
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Mark T: What about the additional electricity of all the set-top boxes that are on standby that would not be needed had TVs had digital tuners built-in? What about all the plasma TVs? And all the flat-screen TVs that don't bother with hard power switches, instead taking power in standby?
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Ray Buck: This problem usually comes about because the device does not have spare memory for some channels. There is usually a workaround because the device is likely to be picking up and storing channels from other transmitters (that in practice you probably don't watch). It's a bit like children eating sweets and then not having room for tea.
Examination of the frequencies used by Reigate shows that the new BBC channels use C60 which is at the high end. Indeed, Yesterday etc is even higher, so I wouldn't be surprised if that behaves the same. The automatic tuning scan goes from low frequency to high.
The workaround is to prevent the device from picking up those other signals that waste its memory. If manual tuning is available, then wiping the memory and manually tuning should work.
In some cases you can unplug the aerial lead during part of the scan to avoid picking up some signals. However, I'm not entirely sure how likely this might be effective here as interleaved with Reigate channels are those of Crystal Palace and possibly Midhurst.
The automatic tuning scan goes from channels 21 to 69.
My advice would be to run the automatic tuning scan and pick up ITV1, C4 etc on C21 and then unplug the aerial.
Then manually add C60 (BBC), C24 (ITV3 etc), C39 (Pick TV) and C66 (Yesterday etc).
Come 18th April, do the same. This time C21 (the first channel it will pick up) will be ITV3 etc. Then add C60 (BBC), C57 (ITV1, C4 etc), C24 (Pick TV etc) and C27 (Yesterday etc).
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Ray Buck: To clarify my first paragraph, what happens is the scan progresses and stores the channels as it finds them. This includes channels from transmitters other than the one you want. Then it gets to the channel(s) used by the transmitter you want by which time there isn't any memory and, evidently, these Philips receivers don't have any "intelligence" to disguard those channels you don't want in order to store some of those that you do.
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sean: Chelmsford used to transmit only Channel 5 analogue but was switched off last July.
Due to all BBC standard definition services moving into a single multiplex after switchover, there are duplications between first and second phase of switchover. This happens at every transmitter during switchover.
BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC Parliament move to the BBC multiplex that was switched on at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. But they exist in the pre-switchover Mux B. The same is true for BBC radio.
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Paul: I put goodmans gdb3 into Google and the second link was to a Digital UK "Equipment Issues" leaflet for this model:
http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf
It won't tune to a multiplex that has a negative offset and is in 8k mode. Whether that means it will stall as it is doing I don't know, or maybe it would be expected to just miss out channels with negative offsets.
Before switchover all multiplexes are in 2k mode. After switchover the are in 8k mode. So BBC standard definition channels are now in 8k mode, but they don't have a negative offset.
On 18th April all standard definition multiplexes will have no offset except ArqB which carries Yesterday etc.
As for solving you problem, I came across the user manual here:
http://www.remote-control….pdf
It has "manual search" tuning so I presume you can tune manually. Try doing that by adding the following UHF channels: 23, 22, 32, 34, 29.
I assume here that you are receiving from Crystal Palace.
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sparky: BBC Four, CBeebies and BBC Parliament along with BBC radio stations will be duplicated between first and second stage of switchover. This is because before switchover they are carried in a different mux and at switchover all BBC standard definition services move into a single mux. Thus you have the new BBC standard definition mux (C23) and the old Mux B (C28). Go to the signal strength screen to hopefully identify which is which.
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Big Mart: Yes, they will disappear at the second switchover.
I'm not too sure whether different times of day makes a great difference. Evidently you're on the margin for HD channels which, BTW, before switchover are on lower power than standard definition channels and therefore have a smaller footprint of coverage.
After switchover all channels are on the same power.
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Sophiw: What's the make and model of your TV or box? Some won't work after switchover; the BBC channels have "switched" whereas the others haven't which is why I ask.
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AndyH: It's pretty likely that the situation will resolve itself on 18th April. Until then, keep manually tuning to C22.
Longer explanation:
Digital receivers have a signal threshold above which they will show a picture and below which they won't. For analogue receivers, the quality of signal is proportional to the signal strength and there is no threshold.
So let's suppose that when you previously received ITV, C4, C5 etc that the signal level coming down your aerial lead was "only just" above that which your tuner needs to resolve a picture. Now it is "only just" below that which it needs. The difference between the two may be quantified as being "tiny".
Perhaps with the other channels you were a "tiny" bit *above* "only just" having enough signal level and thus a "tiny" drop would leave you still with "only just" enough above the threshold and thus to use your description, "perfect" reception.
Signal levels vary a bit all the time due to changes in atmospherics.
Before switchover, digital signal levels are lower which means that whilst some will have good reception, others (on the outside of the transmission area) won't have any at all and those inbetween will sometimes have it and sometimes not.
For the ITV, C4 mux, with the aerial as you have it, you are evidently borderline now. The situation will change on 18th April.
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Aaron: There are two main possibilities I can think of here:
1. Some older receivers cannot resolve the mode of the post-switchover signals, of which the BBC channels are broadcast in now. The mode used by them is known as 8k mode and before switchover transmission use 2k mode.
What's the model number?
2. At 3 miles away from the transmitter, your receiver could be suffering from signal overload due to the strength of the signals. BBC channels are now on their post-switchover high power, the rest will follow likewise on 18th April.
For more information and an explanation, see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If this turns out to be the problem, then get yourself an attenuator for a few pounds.
I would rule out number 1 first and then assume number 2. Try manually tuning to UHF channel 23 if your set allows manual tuning.
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MRW: The transmission power of the Commercial multiplexes from Rowridge, which include ArqA and ArqB, will increase on 18th April.
I am note sure whether there were any changes to ArqA and ArqB that would have been to your detriment that took place on 21st March.
There is probably little you can do in the mean time as well as little point as the situation will change on 18th April.
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AndyH: It is surprising that you get nothing on C22.
The Tradeview predictor for your post code says 92% served for C22 whereas the other standard definition pre-switcher multiplexes are 99%. There must be a reason that it has calculated it like this. There appears to be no other transmitter on C22 that could be interfering at your location.
I can only think that perhaps CP throws out in your direction less signal on C22 than on the other pre-switchover channels. Thus the contrast between the low C22 and C23 may be greater than another side of the transmitter that throws out more signal on C22.
Based on the predictor, try tuning to C41 for the equivalent multiplex from Sudbury and Rouncefall (which broadcast this together on the same channel as a single frequency network). This might give you some degree of service until 18th April.
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Sandra Jackson: Could you be more specific with your location and/or the transmitter you are receiving from if you know it?
There are some areas that Film 4 and the other Commercial channels are not available. GU27 includes Haslemere which I know is one of those areas where reception of these channels is problematic or not possible at all.
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Ben Ward: Hopefully the signal strength screen gives the UHF channel that the receiver is tuned to (most do, although some don't).
As services are transmitted in groups known as multiplexes or "muxes", you only need check one service from each mux.
Bath only transmits only Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc) so if this is the problem then it will only affect them.
BBC One should be tuned to C61 for Mendip and not C25 for Bath. ITV1 should be tuned to C54 for Mendip and not C28 for Bath. If any of these receivers are HD, then BBC One Hd should be tuned to C58 and not C22.
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Ben Ward: If this does turn out to be the case, run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 50% and you'll miss out channels used by Bath and those immediately above it but be plugged in for Mendip.
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Sandra Jackson: If you receive from Holy Cross, then you will not get any of the Commercial channels because it does not transmit them. So if you have ITV3 and Pick TV, then you must be receiving from Midhurst.
The multiplex (ArqB) which carries Film 4, Yesterday, 4Music, ITV4 and others is on low power from Midhurst until 25th April. If you receive it now (albeit intermittently), then you shouldn't need to tune it in on that date as it is only an increase in transmission power.
If you have manual tuning available on your receiver(s), then there is likely no need to do a full automatic tuning scan, but instead manually tune to UHF channel 50. You could try this now as that is what it is on now, albeit at lower power.
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Eric Ogilvie: I don't think that you have chance of receiving all the Freeview channels at your location. I believe that you will only be able to receive the Public Service channels. You would probably be best advised to look at Freesat (or maybe Freesat from Sky) if you would like more channels than the basic Freeview which is available to you.
The issue is that the Commercial broadcasters (known as the "COMs") operate to make a profit first. It's up to them where they transmit from and they decided to broadcast from 80 of the biggest transmitters (by population) which gives them a 90% coverage. To broadcast from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters would roughly double their costs of transmission whilst only adding a further 8.5% of the population. When asked, they declined to increase their coverage.
For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Unfortunately, due to the terrain, you are unable to receive from Stockland Hill which is one of the main stations that carries the COMs. Your area is served by the Preston and Weymouth relays which are Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) transmitters only.
PSB services are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD and a few others).
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Dave Hunter: Have you had your C/D aerial replaced with a wideband one? SDN is the only out of Group C/D channel from Waltham.
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Dave Jones: There are two types of terrestrial broadcaster: Public Service Broadcaster and Commercial.
The channels that are not broadcast from Newtown transmitter are the Commercial ones. The Public Service Broadcasters are BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
The Commercial broadcasters choose where to broadcast from. They broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by population) and achieve a 90% coverage. In order for them to transmit from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters such as Newtown would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and they declined.
That is capitalism for you; if it isn't likely to produce a return it won't get done. For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
In answer to your question, the law requires payment of the Licence Fee in order to watch television broadcasts. It does not guarantee reception of any television signals by any method. The Licence Fee goes to the BBC and as the BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, it is available to you.
So why should the BBC receive less from you because the Commercial operators do not wish to transmit from your transmitter? Why should those who the Commercial operators broadcast to have to pay more to the BBC?
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m smith: There are two types of terrestrial broadcaster: Public Service Broadcaster and Commercial.
The channels that are not broadcast from Aldeburgh transmitter are the Commercial ones. The Public Service Broadcasters are BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
The Commercial broadcasters choose where to broadcast from. They broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by population) and achieve a 90% coverage. In order for them to transmit from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters such as Aldeburgh would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and they declined.
That is capitalism for you; if it isn't likely to produce a return it won't get done. For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The law requires payment of the Licence Fee in order to watch television broadcasts. It does not guarantee reception of any television signals by any method. The Licence Fee goes to the BBC and as the BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, it is available to you.
The only thing you can do is investigate the feasibility of receiving from a main station such as Tacolneston or Sudbury that carries the Commercial channels. At 10kW, Aldeburgh must be one of the most powerful relay transmitters that don't carry the Commercial multiplexes.
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maggie reavill: If this is an analogue only VCR (i.e. it could only receive analogue broadcasts when they were available) then the only way to record digital is to use a box. However, whilst it is possible, it will mean that in order to record something the digital box will have to be set to the correct channel *and* the VCR will have to be set to record from the input that the box is connected to, e.g. the scart "AV2" or whatever it's called.
Where it is not necessary to have removable media, then a hard drive recorder would seem the best way to go.
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David J: See here for a posting from someone near to you with a similar problem (loss of ITV1, C4, C5 etc):
Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
I wouldn't change aerials as the problem may well right itself on 18th April and therefore any money spent is simply to provide television between now and that date.
Try a set-top aerial if you have one. Or as you have swapped the aerial, try the old aerial at ground level, indoors and maybe outdoors.
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Guy: Based on those channel numbers, you are receiving from Hannington. You should be aware that SDN which carries ITV3, ITV2+1 etc on C41 and ArqB which carries Yesterday, Film 4 etc on C47 are on low power until 18th April. This is so as to guard against interference with those receiving from the Guildford transmitter which uses those channels until it completes switchover.
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Alex Gumbrecht: Until 18th April Hannington's SDN (ITV3 etc) on C41 and ArqB (Yesterday etc) on C47 are on low power (particularly low in your direction) so as to protect against interference with Guildford transmitter which uses the same channels and which relinquishes them at final switchover on 18th.
If you prefer Hannington, then I would point the aerial at it and attempt retune.
By the way, due to the channel allocations for those two transmitters, you should be able to get one and not the other during the scan. To get CP and not Hannington, unplug the aerial lead when the scan gets to 30%. And to get Hannington and not CP start the scan with the aerial unplugged and plug in at 30%.
If you are testing each for signal strength, then the aerial should be facing the one you are tuned to.
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Barbara Abbosh: These channels are on low power until 18th April when you will have to do a retune for them. You will probably have to sit it out until then.
This is the nature of digital transmissions. Whereas analogue will fade in that it will be grainier when weaker, digital pictures will either be there or not there. So a slight fluctuation in signal level could result in loss of picture which of course could come back at some point.
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Noddy: The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that your reception of Rowridge's vertical PSBs will be "good" but it COMs "poor", probably owing to the fact that Stockland Hill's COMs are co-channel.
As Stockland is in the opposite direction to Poole and Rowridge, you may be able to mount the aerial such that the signal from Stockland is reduced. For example, put it on one side of the house, although this will probably reduce its height.
If your Poole aerial is a Group C/D one (top third of the band), then this will be less sensitive for Rowridge which uses Group A channels (bottom third of the band). So the lower signal strength from Rowridge may be increased by use of a Group A aerial.
Wideband Yagi aerials have lower gain (less sensitive) at Group A frequencies, so this may perhaps not be the best bet. A Group A aerial on Rowridge may be the solution, although this will depend on its COMs being reliable as if they're not, then it's a waste of time and money.
Failing picking up COMs from Rowridge, you would appear to be in a good area for Mendip, albeit that it transmits West regional programming. Unfortunately due to the channels used for its COMs and Poole's PSBs, combining two aerials into one downlead is not an option.
However, if you can receive PSBs from Rowridge but not COMs, then you could perhaps pick-up the COMs from Mendip. A PVR may not function well when receiving from more than one transmitter. If faced with such circumstances you could perhaps used Mendip as your main transmitter and switch over to Rowridge for BBC One and ITV1 Meridian during regional programming.
These are just some thoughts I'm throwing your way. The first preference must be to investigate receiving all services (including COMs) from Rowridge or perhaps the COMs from Rowridge and PSBs from Poole.
NB: PSB stands for "Public Service Broadcaster" and it is the PSBs only that Poole transmits. The Commercial broadcasters are the "COMs" and they transmit from the main stations like Rowridge and Stockland Hill.
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Loraine Hurd: I Googled the word Viera followed by "invalid system time" (in quotes). This brought up a raft of links to user manuals for Panasonic Viera models.
One says that the meaning/action for this message is "Cannot get the time information and cannot edit Timer Programming screen. Check the connection of the RF cable."
The RF cable is the aerial lead and I presume that as you've tuned, it is connected correctly.
"Invalid system time" suggests that the clock has not been set. Have you checked that the time and date are set correctly?
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m smith: The only thing you can do is investigate the possibility of receiving the full Freeview service from one of the main transmitters, probably Tacolneston or Sudbury.
Switchover saw a taller mast come into service at Tacolneston, so it will reach places it didn't before.
Go to the Digital UK Post Code Checker, enter your post code and house number and tick the box to say that you're in the trade for a prediction of coverage:
Digital UK - Postcode checker
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J Tate: I think that you have answered your own question because you say that your aerial is directed at Mendip and that you can't alter it. So the answer would seem to be you can't!
Without knowing your exact location it is impossible to be certain, but if an aerial in Wales is directed at a transmitter in England, then surely that will only be done where there are is not a Welsh transmitter to receive from.
The taller the block of flats the more unlikely it would seem to be that a Welsh transmitter is not available.
So if the aerial installers couldn't find a spot (presumably on the roof) to receive from a transmitter in Wales, then you won't pick up such a signal with an indoor aerial. So the only route would seem to be satellite.
Having written the above, I am now confused and wondering whether you are actually receiving from a Welsh transmitter (e.g. Wenvoe) and not Mendip.
The reason I say this is because there are less ITV1+1 regions than there are ITV1 regions. Thus some ITV1 regions have to have others' ITV1+1 regions. According to what I've read, ITV West which is what Mendip broadcasts, carries ITV1+1 Wales. So if this were the case, then you would get ITV1+1 Wales anyway. Alternatively, if Mendip has swapped and now broadcasts ITV1+1 West, then perhaps Wales has swapped as well as they are (or were) both one region as far as ITV1+1 is concerned.
Have you looked at the aerial and can you see that it is pointing at Mendip rather than Wenvoe?
If it's the latter, then perhaps it is picking up sufficient level of Mendip's signals that your receiver goes with them when it performs it automatic tuning. The higher the aerial and the clearer the line of sight to Mendip, the more likely it is that this may be the case. In the aerial systems of larger blocks these "other" signals are usually filtered out so never make it to tennants' receivers.
First off, never assume that any receiver has tuned to the correct transmitter.
If you receive ITV1 Wales, but ITV1+1 West, then I would suspect that this is correct as they are both on the same multiplex (the same signal from the transmitter). Go to ITV1 and bring up the signal strength screen. It will hopefully give you the UHF channel number that it is tuned to. For Wenvoe it will say C44 and for Mendip it is C54. Do the same for ITV1+1 if you like.
Do you get BBC Wales or BBC West?
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Nick John: A non-HD tuner will not "see" HD signals. So if you automatically tune the HD services will not appear on your receiver's list of those available and if you manually tune (to UHF Channel 21 for Rowridge) it will say "no signal" even if a HD signal is present.
If you can get standard definition services, then you will be able to receive HD ones. It is the Commercial channels that don't reach all areas; the HD services are "Public Service" channels.
The coloured coverage map is simply indicating where the signal will be at or above a particular level. That does not mean that outside the area no reception will be possible.
You are probably not in the best reception area, but if you can receive all the standard definition channels now, then you should be able to receive HD no problem.
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David Brinkman: Does your Panasonic Freeview HD recorder receive all the channels?
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Rod Craig: What's the model number of the set? Google it; often in cases such as this others have been along the same road.
The lists of defunct equipment are not exhaustive.
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Lesley: I presume that you are referring to the Hemdean transmitter. Digital UK Tradeview doesn't even give a prediction for it, so I guess that you're not in the difficult area.
Some of the Commercial services are on low power from Hannington and this includes ITV3. These will go up to full power on 18th April when Guildford transmitter switches to digital and vacates the two channels use by Hannington.
This probably explains the issue you have been having.
Refer to this page: Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Under "After switchover", SDN and ArqB are the ones on low power.
There will be no need for you to retune, assuming that you have ITV3 and Yesterday stored in your receivers. Don't re-scan if they are lost; this will simply result in them being lost from the channel listings.
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Ben Ward: C61 is that used by Mendip for BBC standard definition, so it is tuned to Mendip.
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Keith Smith: The Commercial multiplexes (which includes the on currently on C33) are on low power until 18th April when you will have to retune.
You may or may not need to switch your aerial to veritcal after that date.
Rowridge's transmission power for the Public Service channels is 200kW horizontally and vertically (and that is the case now). The Commercials will be 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically. Therefore if reception issues are experienced with any of the Commercials, changing the aerial to vertical may help.
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Mick Triggs: It is difficult to say to for certain, but if you have good line of sight to the transmitter, your receiver could be suffering from signal overload.
See:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Nadia: Without knowing your location (preferably in the form of post code or nearby post code) it is impossible to give an answer.
The only thing that can be drawn from what you've said is that you are in an area that has yet to switch to digital (due to the fact that analogue is still present).
It may be that you are not in an area where you can receive digital now or a different aerial may be necessary.
However, when switchover has happened, generally speaking current aerials (that function with analogue) will work fine, although in some cases upgrades will be necessary in order to receive Commercial channels.
If you provide your location a more specific answer may be possible.
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Nadia: Crystal Palace has undergone its first stage of switchover and will complete on 18th April.
You should be able to receive BBC standard definition services as they are now at full transmission power. You should not need to do anything with your aerial.
If there is a manual tuning or manual search function on the set, then you could try it and tune to UHF channel 23.
Have you received Freeview before at this location and using this aerial?
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Nadia: That sounds right, although I am surprised that auto digital tuning hasn't worked.
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Mike Dimmick: Is there a list available of the region names you refer to that transmitters identify themselves as?
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Simon Darlington: If your aerial is directed to King's Lynn transmitter it will be vertical. All other transmitters that you can pick up at your location are horizontal.
King's Lynn transmitter is situated in the grounds of the Royal Estate at Sandringham. If your aerial does not point to it and if it isn't vertical then good reception may not be available to you.
You are picking up Yorkshire from Belmont in Lincolnshire. This uses low channels, so run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged for the first 30% and unplug again at 61% so as to scan for King's Lynn and avoid others.
Once completed, go to BBC One bring up the signal strength screen and it should be tuned to UHF channel 49 for King's Lynn. Do likewise for ITV1 and it should be tuned to C46 for KL.
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Simon Darlington: It is perhaps worth pointing out that King's Lynn is not a full Freeview transmitter. It only carries Public Service channels which are BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD and a few others.
If you would like all channels, then you will need either a second aerial (and perhaps third aerial, depending on how it's done) *or* if possible, a single aerial on Tacolneston which provides Anglia programming.
This is the same as King's Lynn as King's Lynn is a relay of Tacolneston; that is it receives its signal from Tacolneston and re-transmits it.
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Penny: Some Freeview boxes and TVs will not work after switchover.
From Crystal Palace, BBC standard definition services have "switched" and others have not.
What's the make and model number of your box or TV that does not receive BBC channels?
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Mike Dimmick: Is the "600MHz Band Auction" that you say won't go ahead the auction of channels 31 to 37?
And if so, what will it be used for?
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Michael Brockwell: Perhaps this could be the issue: Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Julie Stacey: Can you be more specific?
I gather you received Freeview before switchover which means that you should be able to get the full service afterwards.
Rowridge transmitter which is on the Isle of Wight is currently on low power for Film 4 and other Commercial services. The power will increase on 18th April when a retune will be necessary. This leads me to suspect that your receiver is tuned to Rowridge now.
What direction is your aerial pointing in? Is it towards the Isle of Wight or is it eastwards towards Brighton?
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Donna: Aerials are best on the roof for the simple fact that signals are of best quality up there.
However, in some places it is possible to get reasonable reception from an indoor aerial.
It would appear that you have good line of sight to Durris which is to your south west. This increases your chances of getting a set-top aerial to work.
Always be mindful that reception may not be perfect. Any suggestions I make here are not guarantees that you will get it to work.
I have one of these which I use where a fixed aerial is unavailable:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
There is a transmitter at Balgownie which may serve your area, but it is not a full service one. For this reason it is worth checking, having tuned the TV, that you are tuned to Durris and not Balgownie. That way when you point the aerial in the direction of Durris, you know that that's what you're tuned to and not Balgownie.
A simple solution to ensure that the receiver picks up Durris (if available) and not Balgownie is to run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial at 30%. If you have a fixed aerial for your main room *and* this faces Durris, then use it tune in the TV, unplugging at 30%.
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Mark Heselden: The reason that the instance of the word Reigate is not a hyperlink is because of the way the site applies hyperlinks to certain words. Transmitter names become hyperlinks and where subsequent instances of the same word appear, they don't become hyperlinks. Reigate appears further up the page and is a hyperlink there.
If you look at this posting of mine, you will see that only the first time I mention Reigate does it become a hyperlink.
In answer to your question, yes, Reigate is scheduled to have been completed by 6am. The reason for greater delay on some transmitters is due to the fact that the engineers have to commute to them in order to make necessary adjustments. As Reigate is one of the full Freeview transmitters, it will be likely to be up there as a priority to get it done by 6am.
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Briantist: Reigate appears in the Public Service only list of transmitters, as well as further up the page as a full Freeview transmitter.
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Cass Sully: This is right; you should get all other channels come 18th April.
If your aerial is directed at the Crystal Palace transmitter it will be horizontal and pointing north north west, you should get the full Freeview service come 18th April.
If your aerial is directed Forest Row transmitter which is to your west and the aerial will be vertical, you will only get the Public Service channels. Thus, you may wish to investigate the viability of replacing your aerial with one on Crystal Palace.
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Dacr11: See Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM) | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Frank: It means "64 metres above Ordnance Datum (OD)". Thus the transmission antennas are 64 metres above OD.
See Ordnance Datum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Steve m: ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5 and other services within that group (on the same multiplex) are co-channel with one of Reigate's multiplexes which I believe upped its transmission power a few weeks back.
Reigate is due to complete switchover on 18th April, but UHF channel 24 will continue to be used then. The same goes for C27 which is presently at 1kW from Reigate and will go up to 2kW. C27 is Mux A from Blue Bell which is ITV3 etc, so don't be surprised if you loose it on Wednesday.
See here for a list of multiplexes and services they carry:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
It looks like you may have to wait until 27th June to get all these services back.
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Ken: ITV4 and other services carried on the ArqB multiplex from Sudbury are on low power and will remain like that until 27th June when a retune will be necessary. ArqB has proved problematic for many since it changed in November.
For a list of services carried on ArqB, see:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Steve m: Unfortunately you appear to be in a bit of a pre-switchover no man's land. At different times different neighbouring transmitters are likely to interfere with your reception of Blue Bell Hill.
Here is a summary of how I read it having looked at Digital UK Tradeview predictor (click the link next to your posting):
- Blue Bell will become the best one after 27th June.
- Come 18th April you are predicted to get full service from Crystal Palace. It is, however, London region.
- Some of Tunbridge Wells' pre-switchover muxes are co-channel with Blue Bell and therefore probably aren't possible.
I suggest that come 18th April you try manually tuning to those muxes you are missing from Blue Bell (it's perhaps a long shot).
Failing that, for each of the muxes you can't get from Blue Bell, try manually tuning to their counterpart from Crystal Palace. Your aerial is facing the wrong way, but it's got to be worth a shot. Reception may be hit and miss (if at all).
Be aware that some recorders don't work well when picking up signals from different transmitters.
Or if you can adjust your aerial and you don't mind going with London programming for a few months, then go with Crystal Palace and change back to Blue Bell on 27th June.
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Steve M: If you do move your roof aerial temporarily to Crystal Palace, then that will give you full Freeview.
You may be able to receive BBC South East and ITV Merdian on analogue using a suitably placed set-top aerial directed at either Blue Bell Hill or Tunbridge Wells.
That way you will only revert to analogue when watching the local news programmes and any other local programmes.
Set-top aerials are hit and miss, but you would appear to have good line of sight to both BB and TW (no local obstructions permitting). I see that the college is in the direction of Blue Bell Hill, so you may have to experiment.
Some receivers have different aerial inputs for analogue and digital so different aerials can be used. You might be able to take advantage of such a facility. Or if you TV is analogue only, you may decide to connect the set-top aerial to it and connect the Crystal Palace aerial to a Freeview box of some kind.
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Steve M: I have one of these set-top aerials:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
It is adjustable and can be set horizontally or vertically.
For TW it needs to be vertical and for BB and CP it should be horizontal.
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Michael Brockwell: If the problem is signal overload, then a perminant solution may be to install an attenuator inline with the lead from the roof-top aerial. Attenuators are available from eBay for a few pounds (other sources are available).
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m kinsella: Please turns off Caps Lock - typing in capitals is akin to shouting and is therefore rude!
It may help others who may wish to help you that you have already asked the question once and a suggestion has been provided. The previous discussion is here: Crystal Palace digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
You say you have Meridian, but from which transmitter? It would help to know what you have so as to know what you are seeking to avoid!
Select ITV Meridian, bring up the signal strength screen and see if it says what UHF channel it is tuned to. This will tell us what transmitter it is. I am anticipating it is C24, providing that the last time you ran the automatic tuning scan you unplugged the aerial when it got to 30% as I suggested.
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Steve Brown: Try manually tuning to UHF channel 23 if the set allows. If it gives a signal strength/quality reading when you do this, see if it is there but very low.
If so, I wonder if it is signal overload. See here:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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m kinsella: If you run the scan and unplug at 30%, you should have the aerial unplugged for channels/frequencies above CP. If you are still picking up Meridian then, without confirmation, I would assume that it is picking up the Meridian from Bluebell Hill which is within the window you have your aerial plugged in for. Channels are as follows:
22 CP ITV1 [Mux 2]
23 CP BBC One (full power) [BBC A]
24 BB ITV1
27 BB ITV3
28 CP BBC Four [Mux B] - probably not needed
29 CP Yesterday [Mux D]
32 CP ITV3 [Mux A]
34 CP Pick TV [Mux C]
Channel scan is 21 to 69. Unplugging at 30% is around C35.
I suggest that you are seeking to avoid C24 and C27, as above. This is why I suggest you check which channel ITV Meridian is on.
If so, then I would run the tuning scan with the aerial unplugged, plug in at 15% and unplug at 30%. This will have your aerial unplugged for 24 and 27 (which you don't want). It will also have missed out BBC from CP, so you need to go to manual tune and tune to C23 to add this.
Likewise, ITV1 will be missing, so go to manual tune again and go to C22. If you are missing Yesterday on number 12, then manual tune to C29. And ITV3 is C32.
See here for list of services on each mux:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Mux B on C28 is probably not needed as it duplicates services already on BBC A (C23).
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M D Tomlin: That model will not operate in 8k mode which is used after switchover. On 18th April all services will be in 8k mode and so the TV's in-built tuner will be of no use.
Your model appears on Digital UK's list of 2k equipment http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
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Andrew P: There are two categories of terrestrial television service in the UK:
- Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) which BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and whose transmitters also carry ITV1+1, ITV2, E4, More 4 and HD variants.
- Commercial broadcasters (COMs), such as Film 4, Dave, ITV3, Pick TV and so on.
The PSBs broadcast from all transmitters that were in service prior to switchover (barring a tiny few) and at transmission powers that allow the signal to serve the same areas as the former analogue.
The COMs on the other hand broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by viewer population). They cover 90% of the population this way. They were asked if they wished to transmit from more sites and declined. The cost of them transmitting from the 1000 or so small relays like Haslemere would roughly double their cost of transmission. As there objective is profit from advertising it is little wonder that they did what they did.
For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
To come back to your original question, Haslemere relays Midhurst's PSBs, but not its COMs. Thus, if you can receive the PSBs from Midhurst you would be watching the same programmes.
What I suggest that you do is use the Midhurst aerial exclusively. It's an "aerial" by the way; "arial" is a computer typeface.
The COMs from Midhurst are lower power than the PSBs. So if you can get the weaker COMs, then you should be OK with the PSBs.
See here the "After switchover configuration":
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The COMs are SDN, ArqA and ArqB. ArqB is on low low power until 25th April, so you may not receive it until then. If Yesterday and others don't appear in your receiver's listings by that date, then don't perform a full re-scan then, just use the manual tune function (if available) and tune to C50 to add those services.
The only possible thing is that the receiver might decide to receive PSBs from Haslemere and COMs from Midhurst even though you are only using a single aerial on Midhurst. To avoid this possibility, run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial lead unplugged up to 55%.
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Steve Cheshire: I think that your exclamation mark after the mention of "booster box" says it all!
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
It may be that the signal level going into the amp/booster is too high (for the amp itself), therefore reducing the signal level going into your TV by use of an attentuator probably won't cure the problem.
Is the purpose of the amplifier to provide multiple outlets? If so, then perhaps a non-powered splitter will be better.
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Alan: Pick TV is one of a number of services in the ArqA multiplex (or group). See Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for others.
On 28th March ArqA changed UHF channel (frequency) so I wonder if this had an affect on your reception.
Some sets require a factory reset whereas others don't in order to cope with this sort of change. The concern being that remnants of the old services stay in the memory.
Before you do this, try manual tuning (if you receiver allows) to UHF channel 56 as that is what it is on now.
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Eddie: If you be more specific about your location, preferably full post code.
It would also be useful to know exactly which groups (multiplexes or "muxes") of programme channels that you are missing.
See "Before switchover configuration" and identify which you have and which you are missing, including which you had in the past and perhaps those which you have never had:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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AJ: Can you be more specific as to your location, preferably in the form of post code so as reception possibilities may be checked upon?
For Reigate your aerial will need changing to vertical. If your aerial on Midhurst is Group C/D then that may well not pick up some of Reigate's channels, even if they are available at your location. Until 18th April, analogue is available from Reigate and may be a better test to see if you can receive from that station. The remaining analogue channels (except Channel 5) are in Group C/D.
Reigate completed its first stage of switchover on 4th April and completes on 18th April. Thus its full power post switchover BBC multiplex is now on the air on C60. This is within Group if your aerial is a C/D one. So if you can pick this up, then this might bode well come 18th April.
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Terry NG: I would wait until Wednesday before doing anything as then all services will be on full power from Crystal Palace and Reigate.
That said, BBC A multiplex (standard definition) services are on full post-switchover power now. Try manually tuning to C23. If the manual tune screen shows signal strength/quality when you enter 23, then see whether it is there but low. Not all receivers have manual tuning.
See this plot:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
In the direction of CP, the ground goes upwards and blocks the signal path. The transmission attennas for the pre-switchover multiplexes are lower down than the post switchover and analogue ones, so the obstruction is likely to be greater for them.
How is your analogue reception of BBC One, ITV1 and Channel 4 (and BBC Two previously)?
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AJ: Ah, it's an equipment issue!
If you're looking to try and receive from Reigate, and you want to DIY it, then have a look at ATV Sheffield's site for information and products: Digital TV Transmitters Nationwide Page 2
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Idris: I went to Google and put in <<formula 1 broadcasters>>
List of Formula One broadcasters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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John Stone: Rouncefall is not a full service transmitter as it only carried Public Service channels. I see that Sudbury and Rouncefall are only 14 degrees apart from your location and of course Rouncefall broadcasts on the same channels as Sudbury.
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Chris Burmajster: It is right that Marlow Bottom transmitter will not provide the full range of Freeview channels as it will only carry Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels.
The Commercial broadcasters (the "COMs") transmit from 80 of the largest (by viewer population) stations and achieve a 90% reach. For them to transmit from nearly 1,100 relays like Marlow Bottom would roughly double their cost of transmission. If they did this, that outlay would give them an additional 8.5% of the population. They were invited to increase their coverage and declined. For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
In some cases there are ways of getting the Commercial channels. These usually entail additional cost as new aerials will be required.
I had a look and have come up with the following shortlist of permutations. Not all may be possible as what can be received can only really be determined by an installer on site.
I went to the Digital UK (DUK) Tradeview predictor and put in post code in Marlow Bottom. This was to give an idea of what may be receivable.
1. Receive all services from Crystal Palace. At the test post code, DUK suggests PSBs are "good" but COMs "variable". The point being that there is a difference and the COMs aren't as good.
As Marlow Bottom is a relay of Crystal Palace, regional programming is the same.
2. The predictor considers all services (PSBs and COMs) from Hannington to be "good" at the test location. One option is to receive all services from Hannington, but this would mean changing to BBC South and ITV Meridian.
3. Use Freesat in combination with a terrestrial aerial on Hannington. You can watch BBC and ITV London programming via Freesat. Your Hannington aerial will allow you to watch terrestrial Commercial services that are not on Freesat such as Dave and Pick TV.
4. You may be able to combine ("diplex") into one downlead, your current aerial on Marlow Bottom with one on Hannington. In order to do this a diplexer must be used so that only one of the aerials supplies the signal on each channel. See here Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
Marlow Bottom uses C49 to C58 and Hannington's highest COM is on C47. So you would need a diplexer that splits at C48 (if such a thing is available - I'm not an aerial installer so I don't know).
This is probably a last ditch possibility where all others have been eliminated.
I should point out that some receivers (recorders/PVRs) don't function well when receiving services from different transmitters with regards to recording programmed programmes. You could use your Hannington aerial as your main one, so the services from that transmitter will be in the "proper" logical channel numbers, i.e. 1=BBC One from Hannington 2=BBC Two from Hannington. The only use your Marlow Bottom aerial will have is for BBC One London and ITV London which you could put on 800 and 801, for example.
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As I say, what's actually possible will have to be tested on-site. The village is surrounded by trees and these can affect reception. They will probably not be taken into account by the DUK predictor.
At the test location, the road is not flat and the houses on one side are higher than on the other. It's a fair assumption that chances of reception are likely to be greater the higher up the aerial is. The size of aerials and tall masts tells the story!
I did spot a couple of houses on the low side of the road with large aerials on Crystal Palace. These are in the direction of the other side of the road, so the higher houses will probably be causing a shadow. However, what I would say is that if those lower houses can get a signal from CP, then the chance will probably be greater if you live in one of those higher houses!
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m kinsella: I would second David's suggestion!
It should sort itself out then. In the mean time, switch to analogue to watch BBC and ITV regional programmes.
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Chris Baldwin: Try tuning to Dover's analogue services which are 50, 56, 66 and 53.
It does depend on whether there are any French transmitters that are co-channel that may interfere at your location.
The green coverage area above suggests that along the French coast it may be possible to pick it up.
Due to the fact that the powers that be will not release the radition patterns of Dover's post-DSO multiplexes, the above is an assumption.
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tim welby: I believe that the above is not entirely correct.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor says that the positive offset is on PSB3 (i.e. C39+) and not PSB2. Furthermore, COM4 does not have a positive offset either. Briantist, you might like to look at this.
The Ofcom document, apparently updated January 2012, also says that Hannington's channels are not offset except PSB3:
http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf
Also, COM5 is on its full DSO power of 25kW. COM4 and COM6 remain on low power until 18th April when the Guildford transmitter relinquishes use of these channels.
Tim, before I started, having simply looked at the channels at the top of this page, I was going to suggest that your problem may be that your receiver can't cope with the positive offset employed by PSB2, but I don't believe that this is the case.
I have been reading through your earlier postings that you made since switchover. You seem to have been having alot of issues since switchover.
As Mike Dimmick explained ( Freeview on Hannington TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ) the difference between pre-switchover signal strength and post-switchover strength in your direction is huge. You may have had an aerial installed that was sensitive enough to pick up the pre-DSO signals, but which is now drawing in too much signal and overloading your tuner.
The reason for the marked difference is due to the fact that pre-DSO signals were considerably weaker in the general direction of Guildford (the "Guildford notch") in which you reside. This was so as to protect those using Guildford transmitter against interference as the two shared channels. So you have gone from having low low low signals to high ones.
Have you tried fitting an attenuator?
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Lynne Sayers: Can you give some more information such as location as it is impossible to be very specific. Is the aerial used for the bedroom the same as used for (I presume) the lounge?
What I will say is that if your neighbour is served by any of the London transmitters, then this will likely right itself on Wednesday.
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kim stevens: Switchover at all transmitters is carried out in two stages, usually two weeks apart.
At the first stage BBC standard definition services go on to full power and two weeks later the rest follow.
So if you're receiving from High Wycombe transmitter, independant channels will become available to you on Wednesday.
By the way, if you do receive your TV from High Wycombe, then you won't get the full Freeview service as it's a Public Service transmitter only.
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markyb: Cables can interfere with one another when in close proximity. The lower the level of signal the greater chance that any interference will have a negative impact on reception.
So come switchover when the signal levels from Heathfield are higher, you may find that such interference does not result in loss or poor TV reception.
I have a USB dongle TV tuner and I know that if the RF aerial cable is put next to the USB lead then it causes problems with reception. that is, the signal carried along the USB lead interferes with that in the RF lead.
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Marion Bristow: It is difficult to be specific only knowing that you live near Bedford. However, it is quite close to the transmitter and your could therefore be in a situation where the aerial is picking up too much signal and overloading the tuner. As signal levels vary over time due to atmospherics, perhaps at times it gets too high for your receiver to cope with.
Unless the channels stored in your receiver's memory are incorrect, then retuning is a waste of time and can only ever leave you without the channels being stored in the memory or with the channels stored in the memory as they were before you retuned. Therefore the affect can only ever be negative or neutral and not positive.
Have a look at this page:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If you have a signal booster, then remove it. If not, then try fitting an attenuator to reduce the signal levels.
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Ben Ward: It's possible that other leads are interfering with the signal carried along the aerial lead. Notably HDMI and USB leads
If they are in close proximity, try moving them away from one another and see if the signal improves.
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MAPMAN: The loss of Pick TV, Sky News and other services on ArqA was expected as it changed channel and increased transmission power on 28th March. Thus, a retune was necessary in order to restore it.
When channels don't display (i.e. "no signal") and it is not caused by a change of frequency by the transmitter, then one of the worst things you can do is retune. All you can ever achieve is loss of those services from the TV's memory or they appear as they were before. Thus the affect can only be negative or neutral and this is therefore a waste of time.
Have you considered that it may be too high a signal level and a bit of attenuation could be required? See
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Jim: SDN (ITV3 etc) and ArqB are on low power from Hannington until Wednesday. They do not change channel on that date so no retune should be necessary.
The reason for this is because Guildford transmitter uses the same channels until it completes switchover on Wednesday.
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J Fergusson: The channels that aren't available in your area (from your transmitter) are the Commercial ones which operate purely on a commercial basis.
They transmit from 80 of the largest sites (largest by viewer population) and this gives them 90% reach. To transmit from nearly 1,100 small relays would add about 8.5% of the population to their potential viewerbase but it will roughly double the amount they spend on transmission. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and declined. For a more in-depth explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Freesat is probably your only way to get more channels.
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Andy Seaward: Refer to the Sharp website: LCD TV - Sharp
The specification says that it does not have the ability to receive DVB-T2 (HD) signals. It is also described as "HD Ready" which means that it can show HD pictures, but does not have in-built means to receive them over-the-air.
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Alex: This should right itself on Wednesday when the non-BBC channels go on to full power.
In the mean time, if your receiver allows manual tuning then try to tune them in that way.
ITV1, C4 etc = manual tune to C22
Dave, Food Network = manual tune to C34
For a full list of channel numbers for tuning to, see the Crystal Palace page (click the link).
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Derek: The problem could be caused by the period in between first and second stage of switchover where BBC standard definition channels are at their full final power and the rest remain at low pre-switchover power. Thus, it should hopefully right itself when you retune on Wednesday.
If you are receiving from Crystal Palace and your receiver has manual tuning, then tune to channel 32.
If you are receiving from Reigate, then manually tune to channel 24. If it's the Hemel Hempstead transmitter that you are using, then it's C68 and for Guildford you need to tune to C41.
If, having attempted to manually tune, it doesn't find anything or what is found is not strong enough, then I think you'll have to wait until Wednesday.
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jinxy209: I assume that tennants' contracts may state who is responsible, if at all, for provision of any communal aerial system.
Do you not have an aerial system already? If so, have you tried tuning in Freeview and if so, what do you get?
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Richard: I guess that it is the Commercial channels that you do not receive. These services are broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (largest by viewer population). They achieve a 90% coverage of the population.
You are served by one of nearly 1,100 small "filler-in" relays which the Commercial operators don't wish to transmit from. For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Google Streetview shows what appears to be the communal aerial on the end of Newmarket Court (November 2010):
NP7 5NB - Google Maps
The aerial is pointing at Abergavenny transmitter. There is also a satellite dish, FM aerial and DAB aerial. The fact that these are all together suggests that they will be distributed throughout the building.
Have you looked for a satellite socket? There may be two sockets to enable satellite recording equipment (e.g. Sky+, Freesat hard drive recorder) to be used. I would have thought that there would be a plate with several different types of socket on for each type of aerial.
You say that the reception you have is poor. Check that it is tuned to the correct transmitter. Do this by going to BBC One and bringing up the signal strength screen. For Abergavenny it will be tuned to C49. Then go to ITV1 and bring up the strength screen and it should say C42. If your receiver is HD, they are on C45. There is no need to check the rest because, for example, BBC Two is the same as BBC One and Channel 4 and Channel 5 are the same as ITV1.
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Richard: Channel 60 is BBC from the Llanfoist transmitter, so it's not surprising that reception is poor as the aerial faces the wrong way for it.
To correct this, run the automatic tuning scan and unplug it at 61% (this should prevent picking up Llanfoist). Then having done this, check that BBC One and ITV1 are tuned to the correct channels for Abergavenny.
Satellite seems like your only bet for extra channels. If there is only one satellite socket, then I believe that this means that you can only receive one channel at a time (via satellite). In the days of recorders, I would expect that there will be two.
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Davud Bolton: Yes, the signals from Brougher Mountain will increase considerably at switchover, and yes it will be one of three transmitters in the North to carry RTÉ. See Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM) | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Mike Payne: Where signals from more than one transmitter are found, then receivers put these in the 800s. Different receivers have different methods of deciding which to go with as the "main" transmitter (i.e. those that get the proper logical channel numbers, 1=BBC One etc).
With such a marked difference in signal strength, it would appear that this doesn't go on signal strength! Maybe it is one of those that goes with the first it finds during the scan (and then throws the rest into the 800s). So if your transmitter happens to be on the lowest frequencies, then it is found first and you are OK.
All of Oxford's channels are at the high end...
The thing to do is to see what transmitters your receiver is picking up. It will hopefully tell you the UHF channel that it is tuned to on the signal strength screen. (I say "hopefully" because not all do and if it doesn't it rather leaves you guessing.)
Refer to this page:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Under "After switchover configuration" you will see six rows. These are the groups of services known as multiplexes or "muxes". What I would do is survey one of the services in each of the muxes. These are usually BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday.
The signal strengths you have discovered perhaps suggest that Oxford is in the 800s and another transmitter is the main one. In which case poor reception on the main transmitter may ensue because the aerial is probably facing the wrong way (for the signals being picked up).
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that Sandy Heath may be a possibility at your location. Click the link beside your posting for the list of transmitters and UHF channel numbers.
The automatic tuning scan runs from channel 21 to 69. So if it doesn't give these channel numbers as it scans, and only give a percentage, you can convert target channel number to percentage.
As Oxford's start at 53, then I calculated that to be 66%. So if you run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 60% you should get it. If you do not get it in in time and the receiver has manual tuning, you can manually add missing multiplexes. E.g. the lowest channel is that of BBC A, so manually tune to C53 to add it.
The only thing you've got to watch for is if there is a transmitter that is being picked up uses channels within the range of the target. This is why I suggest you survey what you have beforehand. A way round this may be to have the aerial unplugged for longer so as to avoid the other transmitter, and then manually add any missing ones.
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kc: Your most likely transmitter is probably Crystal Palace and certainly not Midhurst!
If so, then wait until tomorrow when Crystal Palace switchover completes and HD services become available.
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george: 4seven is broadcast on one of the Commercial multiplexes which don't wish to invest in transmitting from Merthyr and around 1,100 other similar small transmitters. For an explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Your best bet for additional channels will probably be Freesat, and according to the posting above, 4seven will be on there.
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john merchant: On the basis that you say you can see the transmitter, I wonder if the issue is that the levels are on the high to too high side.
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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kerry: Switchover completes tomorrow when all other channels should become available.
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IKG: Google "Full HD" and it says that it is 1080p. It does not qualify that the in-built tuner can receive HD services over the air.
It is correct that the set will "show" Freeview HD channels from Rowridge, or any UK transmitter for that matter. A separate tuner will be needed to receive it.
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Jo: I think that the most likely answer is that the Alba has put the channels from Whitehawk in the 800s and another transmitter in the "proper" positions.
The fact that you have 800s is testament to signals from more than one transmitter being received. When a receiver picks up signals from more than one transmitter, it has to decide which it makes the "main" one (i.e. the BBC One that gets put under number 1) and which it throws in the "other" pile (i.e. puts in the 800s).
The simplest ones just take the first ones they find as the main and put subsequent (duplicates) in the 800s. As it happens, Whitehawk uses high frequencies and Rowridge uses low and can be picked up in your area.
So just run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged for the first 50%.
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Jo: Before you carry out a rescan, you can look at what you have now.
While on BBC One, bring up the signal strength screen and it will (hopefully) show the UHF channel that it is tuned to. If it says C24 then it is tuned to Rowridge and C60 is Whitehawk.
ITV1 Whitehawk=C53 / Rowridge=C27
ITV3 Whitehawk=C57 / Rowridge=C30 (C25 from tomorrow)
Pick TV Whitehawk=C56 / Rowridge=C37 (C22 from tomorrow)
Yesterday Whitehawk=C48 / Rowridge=C33 (C28 from tomorrow)
If you find any of these are Rowridge and you have poor reception, then that's the cause.
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IKG: With respect, I don't see as there is anything you can do.
If the person said "I think you will be able to receive Freeview HD transmissions at switchover", then that is a statement of opinion rather than statement of fact (as it starts "I think").
If the salesperson told you that "you will be able to receive Freeview HD transmissions" when Rowridge switches over, then they made, what turns out to be, an incorrect statement. But I wouldn't think that in law a customer can hold a retailer to what they said would happen in the future (when it hadn't been finalised), particularly when the decision of what happens is down to someone else and certainly not after four years.
If they said that it will "show the Freeview HD channels" when switchover happens, then that is what you have. That is, it will "show" them.
As I say, it's four years ago so I don't think that there's a lot to be done.
And in any case, if this was all verbal then it's your word against there's or perhaps the person that sold it to you has moved on.
I appreciate that the marking people band about terms like "Full HD" and "HD Ready" and that some will have interpreted (prior to switchover) that the latter meant that it is ready to receive HD when it comes on the air. That's marketeers for you. I'm certainly not a marketeer so would have never used such ambiguous phrases.
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Corin: I am not "claiming" anything; merely stating information found elsewhere.
Two sources quote 2kW for Storeton Wales:
- DTT licences V7 (27/01/12):
Ofcom | Supplementary licence documents in relation to DSO
- Digital UK Tradeview. Take this sample post code and then scroll down to the Storeton Wales transmitter. Then hover your mouse over the channel numbers and a tooltip will appear stating 2kW:
Postcode Checker - Trade View
The Digitak UK Installer Newsletter you linked to is dated December 2008. Page 7 of the Ofcom document you refer to was last updated in January 2011, although the "Document History" on the last page doesn't mention that the reason for update was Storeton's ERP.
The author of this site has commented before that those Ofcom documents don't seem to be up to date and has been relying on the licences document instead.
There is of course no reason to suspect any are incorrect; it may have been 500W when it was put together.
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Abby: By "normal" I assume you are referring to analogue as you only make mention of the five channels available in analogue.
The first stage of switchover at the Crystal Palace transmitter happened on 4th April when BBC Two analogue was switched off. Tonight the rest will go. So if your TV does not have a digital (Freeview) tuner built in, then you will need a separate set-top box.
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jinxy209: If you get 5 channels using a set-top aerial, then you may be able to receive Freeview channels from tomorrow.
If you face Crystal Palace which is south west, then you have a better chance than if you don't. The higher up you are, the greater your chance of receiving signals. So if you're above the rooves of surrounding buildings and facing south-west, I think you have a good chance. If your lower down it may still work.
If the powers that be will be installing an aerial system in the coming weeks (or months), then you will need a Freeview receiver. If your TV does not have one built in, then you might as well buy one now and try it out with your set-top aerial.
If your flat faces a different direction, you may be able to receive from another transmitter. Woolwich is to your north east, although it doesn't broadcast all the channels, but it does give you more than the current five "main" channels.
If you would like some help with this, let us know some more information such as how high up you are and what direction you are facing.
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Corin: I'm not a professional myself, but I agree that it appears that the current power is now greater than was previously planned.
I have seen this before; where the Ofcom document (the PDF regional ones you linked to) was out of date. These do seem to be more friendly to read than the licences one.
It seems that whoever was keeping them up-to-date isn't do as well now.
The Digital UK Newsletter has a date on and I wouldn't expect it to be updated. The Tradeview predictor system, on the other hand, is presumably updated as situations change.
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Mark: It's probably the difference in strength between the now strong BBC signals and the (weaker) other channels.
Tomorrow you will have to retune again, once all the non-BBC channels have also switched to full power. So your problem should hopefully be rectified tomorrow.
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Colin Newman: If I may, I offer an observation about GDB2 and GDB3 models.
I came across this previously:
http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf
Channel 28 is the only service from Crystal Palace with a negative offset.
If I were you, Google around as others may well have experienced the same problem.
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Dermy: You are correct that the Derry transmitter on Sheriff's mountain will not broadcast Freeview until switchover in October. You should also be aware that it will only be a "Freeview Lite" transmitter as it won't carry the Commercial services; it will be for Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) only. The PSBs being BBC, UTV, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
However, on looking at your road using Google Streetview I can't see any aerials on the Sheriff Mountain transmitter. Most houses have two aerials; one on Limavady and one on Holywell Hill. The former is a main UK station that carries low power Freeview now and at switchover will carry the full range of channels. The latter carries the Republic's services.
Whilst Holywell Hill and Sheriff Mountain transmitters are probably in the same direction from your location, the former broadcasts horizontally polarised signals and the latter vertically polarised ones. So for Holywell aerials will be horizontal (elements flat) as they are and this is the same as for Limavady. Sheriff Mountain aerials are vertical (elements up/down).
Try connecting a Freeview receiver to your Limavady aerial. It "may" be sufficient to receive some or all or the low power services.
Come October, you will still have to rely on Holywell for RT as Limavady won't transmit it.
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Geoff Smith: If you are attempting to receive Rowridge in Haslemere then its COMs are co-channels with Haslemere's PSBs which are also co-channel with Crystal Palace's COMs.
Rowridge now broadcasts vertically as well as horizontally. 200kW for PSBs vertically and horizonatally. 50kW for COMs horizontally and 200kW for COMs vertically.
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Harry Butler: On that date ArqB (Yesterday etc) on C50 will go up to full final power. If you presently get Yesterday, or it is intermittant or at least given in your receiver's channel listing, then you probably won't need to retune.
If it's not listed at all, then try manually tuning to C50. If it you can't pick it up now, then manually tune on 25th (as opposed to a full retune) and this should add it.
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fatima redwan: The Commercial broadcasters' interest is profit. They have no "Public Service" obligations, unlike BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
For a more in-depth explanation of why Alexandra Palace transmitter does not carry these services, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
However, if you received Freeview before switchover then you must have been picking it up from another transmitter which carried it then. Transmitters that carried it before have a full service now. So I expect that you should be able to get all channels.
Therefore "if" your aerial points at the Alexandra Palace transmitter and you got Freeview before, then it was on a wing and prayer as the aerial was facing the wrong way. If this is the case, then you probably need to have your aerial replaced with one on, probably Crystal Palace, to pick up all services.
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Phil K: Stockland Hill's COMs are co-channel with those of Rowridge. Last night they had a power increase so you could be getting interference from them. You may have to switch your aerial to vertical to reduce the chance of such interference as well as picking up stronger COM signals from Rowridge.
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fin: Could the Sony Bravia TV be referring to TV channels (not radio and others) only whereas the recorder shows all?
I would be more concerned with ensuring that all channels are present. Confirm that you have BBC One, ITV1, ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday and these are one service from each group or multiplex. If you have all of these then you have all multiplexes and therefore all services carried by those multiplexes.
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Mike: A HD TV does not necessarily have the ability to receive HD signals. These are usually described as HD Ready. Full HD simply means 1080p and doesn't mean that a Freeview HD tuner is contained within.
Look in the specifications. DVB-T is the standard definition format and DVB-T2 is the high definition one. So if it says the only the former, then it won't receive HD pictures itself.
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Sean Marshall: The signal strength is not the main factor with digital reception; it is quality. So long as the strength is great enough to produce give "good" reliable quality, then I suggest that you do nothing with your aerial if you will have to pay someone to make any changes.
Directional aerials by their nature are more sensitive in one direction and less so in others. So if the interfering signal is coming from a direction at which your aerial is least sensitive then it will produce less interference to your receiver than had it been from a direction where your aerial is more sensitive.
So don't read the Tradeview predictor as being what you will actually get. It is simply a guide.
If your aerial happens to be in a spot where it picks up no signal from Crystal Palace then it will endure less interference than had it been in a location where it got a little. Such a difference could be metres.
Clearly the only way to give a definitive answer is to measure the signal levels on-site. On the basis that this will cost and that you already have an aerial, I suggest, just as the response from Digital UK says, that you leave it and see.
Should you find that you have an issue, then you are now briefed on the possible cause and possible solution.
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Mike: I found the manual here:
http://pdf.crse.com/manua….pdf
The specs on page 48 only say "DVB-T" and not T2.
This review mentions it coming out in 2008:
Sony KDL-40W5500 review from the experts at whathifi.com
DVB-T2 was only finalised in 2008, so when the model was conceived, the specification for HD broadcasts had not.
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Tony Browne: Where are you? To the west there is Stockland Hill which uses the same channels and in the east there is Crystal Palace which does. There are probably others that might interfere in places.
In some locations adjusting the aerial from horizontal may be helpful for reception of the three Commercial channels you refer to.
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mh: What's the make and model of your TV? The description you give suggests that it may be that it won't receive post-switchover signals.
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mh: That model is on Digital UK's "2k-only" list of equipment so will not receive post-switchover signals:
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
2k mode was used for signals before switchover and they are in 8k mode after switchover. Hence on 4th April BBC standard definition services switched to 8k mode which is why your TV wouldn't tune to them.
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JohnM: There are less ITV1+1 regions due to the cost of creating +1 feeds for all ITV1 regions. For the same reason there are limited ITV1 HD regions and similarly the BBC does not provide regional BBC One HD feeds.
If missing local ITV1 programmes is that much of an issue, then set them on your PVR and you can watch them back at any time. I didn't realise that there was that much local programming left on ITV1....for cost reasons.
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mh: Any box will do, particularly if you just want to watch programmes as they are broadcast. I can't give you any recommedations.
If you want a recorder such as one with a hard drive (that stores the programmes within itself), then if you get ones with two tuners in you can watch one channel on the TV whilst recording another, or you probably can record two channels at the same time (depending on the model).
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Paul Brennan: The Hertford transmitter doesn't carry the Commercial channels like Dave and Film 4 and probably never will. Those broadcasters work on a profit basis only. See here for a fuller explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The predictor suggests that you may be able to receive the full Freeview service directly from Crystal Palace or Sandy Heath.
A look at your road on Google Streetview rather confirms these possibilities as there is a mixture of aerials on Hertford, Crystal Palace and Sandy Heath.
If you wish to retain London programming, then Crystal Palace is best if you can get it.
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Prof. R Pollock: You can watch that programme on BBC iPlayer:
BBC Four - Beautiful Minds - Upcoming episodes
It also says that it will be transmitted again on BBC Four at midnight on Tuesday 24th.
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margaret price: Look for ITV1 in the 800s (i.e. from programme number 800). If you have Channel 4 and Channel 5 then you would be expected to have ITV1 as well because they are in the same group.
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margaret price: My apologies, I was thinking of Freeview rather than Sky. I can't help with getting your Sky box to show ITV1. Hopefully someone who can will be along soon.
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Steve Flynn: I remember when you raised this issue a couple of months back:
Haslemere digital TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
I'm surprised that the Haslemere transmitter has been given channels that are used by another transmitter that will clearly interfere in its designated service area.
Whilst you could use Crystal Palace for PSBs only, it is London region whereas your nearest "designated" transmitter is Meridian.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor just gives a guide to reception but does not give any indication of where this may be limited by interference and crucially, which transmitter providing the interferce.
In some cases it is clear; for example Crystal Palace which is "good" where you are is likely to be the culprit for degradation of Haslemere's signals.
I suggest that Heathfield might be the reason why DUK suggests that reception of Hannington's COMs and PSB2 will get worse in June.
See the "After Switchover" maps for C41, C42, C44 and C47:
UK TV Frequency map - channel C41 (634.0MHz) before switchover map | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Heathfield would surely be the likely candidate as it uses these four channels but not C45 and C39 as used by Hannington's PSB1 and PSB3 which aren't forecasted to change in June.
What this doesn't mean is that you "will" have an issue. Hannington and Heathfield appear to be roughly 180 degrees apart for you.
If, for example, there are trees or a building in the direction of Heathfield, then this will probably work in your favour; helping to block Heathfield's signals.
Can you pick up Hannington's COMs now that they are on their full final power. Note that Hannington's PSBs are 50kW and its COMs are 25kW. The latter use a less robust mode which allows them to carry more services at the expense of some viewers in fringe areas.
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Steve Flynn: I should also point out that as Heathfield is at 180 degrees to the direction your aerial is facing, the degree to which your aerial can "reject" signals from the back will probably play a part.
The pros that frequent this site can probably tell you more, but perhaps there are some types of aerial that have better rejection of signals from the rear than others.
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Bob: The range of channels available from the Luton relay transmitter is not likely to increase. The Commercial broadcasters don't transmit from Luton and nearly 1,100 similar small relays because, evidently, it isn't worth their while (from a cost/benefit point of view). They broadcast from 81 of the largest transmitters (largest by population) and achieve a 90% coverage of the population. Transmitting from all the small relays would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding a further 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wish to increase coverage and they declined. See Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for a fuller explanation.
The mention of "ITV3 (CI)" on the other page means that ITV3 is carried on transmitters on the Channel Islands and this is in lieu of ITV1+1 because there is no +1 feed of ITV1 Channel Television region.
In some cases where one is on a "lite" transmitter, it is possible to receive from another station that carries the Commercial ones. Obviously this will mean a change of roof-top aerial where it faces the local "lite" relay.
If your roof-top aerial points to Luton, then you aren't going to pick up the Commercial channels. Alternatively, if it faces another transmitter, it may perhaps offer the Commercial services.
Or you may be in an area where you can get sufficient signal on the Commercial channels using a set-top aerial. The thing with aerials, and particularly so with set-top ones is positioning. That's why knowing what might be receivable is worth checking on before you set out trying to tune in.
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Clive: What transmitter is your aerial directed to and which you are attempting to receive from?
If you don't know, they what direction does it face and is it horizontal (elements flat) or vertical (elements up/down).
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Sean MacIntyre: Or perhaps the problem is not sufficient signal from Divis, but interference from another station.
Another thing to point out is that C33 and Mux A on C23 is in 64QAM mode which isn't as robust as the rest which are 16QAM. From what you say, these would appear to be the two that you're having difficulties with.
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Rosie Neville: What's the make and model of your set? Some won't work after switchover (assuming that you're in the London area which switched yesterday).
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Bob: Freesat will work with a dish installed previously for a Sky service.
If you wish get a satellite recorder, you will probably need two leads from the dish and dual LNB (the bit on the dish that the cable connects to). This is because in order to watch one channel and record another, there needs to be a single cable for each channel being received.
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Gary Faulkner: All HD services are carried on the same signal as part of the same multiplex, therefore the same strength and quality will be given for BBC One, BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD from the same transmitter and the same time.
Therefore, check that the UHF channel that they are all tuned to is C30.
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Clive: I concur that your aerial would appear to be on Tunbridge Wells. With a month and half to go before switchover completes there is probably little point in spending money making changes to your aerial system.
However, I will say that Tunbridge Wells is traditionally a Group B transmitter. That means that the channels used for analogue (including analogue Channel 5) are in Group B which is the middle third of the band.
Consequently, aerials that are fitted, particularly older ones, will be Group B ones, them being much more sensitive over the middle third of the band and dorpping off above and below Group B channels.
The services that you're not picking up are on C61 which is the highest channel and well out of Group B.
As an example, see the trace here: Gain (curves), Again
Here, the yellow "C10B" gain curve drops off to nothing by C61. I stress that this is simply an example to illustrate a point. Your aerial may not be exactly as that shown but TV aerial (yagi types) have much the same sort of gain curve.
Try manually tuning to C61 if your receiver allows. It may give a signal strength reading when you do this and may say that there is a signal but that it's too low for your receiver to use.
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Margaret Philips: C42 is coming from Hannington (Hampshire) which is why you have poor reception.
As your aerial is directed at Crystal Palace, run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%. All of Crystal Palace's channels are within the first 30% and Hannington's are after 30%.
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Clive: The problem should hopefully be rectified at the second stage of switchover on 13th June.
If it is too weak a signal, then the transmission will be stronger.
If the issue is that your aerial is Group B, then all services after switchover will be within that group, and so it won't be a problem after switchover.
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Richard: See "After switchover configuration" on this page: Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Quest is carried on the COM4/"SDN" multiplex.
If the sets have a manual tune option, try manually tuning to C25 for SDN.
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Peter Danckwerts: See here for the specification:
27-inch D5000 Series 5 Full HD 1080p LED TV | UE27D5000NW - Samsung UK - TECH SPECS
Under "System" it says "DTV Reception DVB-T / C", so no, it doesn't have the ability to receive Freeview HD signals over the air as they use DVB-T2.
It is "Full HD" which means that it will show HD pictures in the resolution 1080p. Despite how this "may" be interpreted by some, it does not give any qualification to the Freeview part of TV being able to decode HD signals.
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Clive: I'm happy to help; it's not trouble.
I found the manual here:
http://www.sony.co.uk/pro…nual
Page 12 of the manual (page 14 of the PDF file) describes the manual tuning procedure.
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Clive: If you've already tried this, then perhaps the signal on C61 isn't good enough, for whatever reason.
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Monday 2 April 2012 10:24AM
gary: The switchover dates for Crystal Palace are 4th April (BBC standard definition goes to full power) and 18th April (the other multiplexes follow).
According to the predictor, Heathfield is your best bet (after the limited channels from Steyning) and will also give you Meridian regional programming, but that will only be available to you when it switches over on 13th June.